A gratifying medical and surgical practice, and
an honored place as man and citizen in the community of Forestville,
Sonoma county, have not come to Fred N. Folsom through any special
advantages of fortune or encouragement along the lines of influence or
money. On the other hand, he had to make his own way unaided, obtaining
the means to prosecute his medical studies by following the teacher's
profession until his studies were completed.

Aside from pride of accomplishment in
professional lines, Dr. Folsom is proud to claim birth as a Native Son,
being a native of Marysville, Yuba county, where he was born July 6,
1871, the son of Hiram Folsom, who came as a pioneer to the state in
1852 and is now living in Marysville at the age of eighty years. He is a
native of New England, born in New Hampshire, while his wife was born in
New York state; the latter died in Marysville in March, 1910, at the age
of sixty-nine years. The possibilities of the mines had been the chief
attraction in bringing the elder Mr. Folsom to the west in 1852 and for
some time he followed mining with more or less success in Plumas county.
Besides the subject of this sketch the parental family included another
son, Clarence E. Folsom, who is now engaged as an electrician in
Oakland.

Although a miner during his earliest years in
the west, the father later turned his attention to farming, and on the
home ranch Fred N. Folsom grew to a sturdy boyhood and youth, and when
he had attained school age, was a pupil in the schools of Prairie, Yuba
county. After his graduation from grammar school he took an examination
for teacher, and passing is successfully, began his career as a teacher
at the early age of eighteen, in 1889, and continued to follow it until
1894. With the proceeds of six years efforts he began his medical
studies in San Francisco, taking the regular course, from which he
graduated May 20, 1896. From the metropolis he returned to Laporte,
Plumas county, and opened an office for the practice of his profession,
and from the first received the patronage of the b3est and most
influential citizens of the town. His identification with Sonoma county
dates from the year 1902, when he located in Windsor. From there he
removed to Forestville in 1905, continuing his practice there five
years, when he located in Sebastopol October 20, 1910, since which time
he has built up a fine practice, not confined to the immediate vicinity
of this town, but extending to all parts of Sonoma county.

Dr. Folsom's marriage, February 4, 1911, united
him with Mrs. Annie McLaren, a native of California. By a former
marriage Dr. Folsom had one child, Ortis Fred Folsom, born March 10,
1898, and now a pupil in the schools of Santa Cruz. Politically Dr.
Folsom is a Republican, and fraternally his affiliations include
membership in the Odd Fellows Lodge at Forestville, the Modern Woodmen
of America, and the United Artisans. Next to his love for the profession
which he has chosen for his life work Dr. Folsom has a deep fondness for
man's best friend, the horse, and has raised many high bred trotting
horses. He was formerly the owner of Starlock, a fine standard-bred
trotting stallion, which he has recently sold.

Source:History of Sonoma County, California
Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who
Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
History By: Tom Gregory
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California (1911)